Apple Trade-in Program for MacBook Pros

[familychoice]

See also: Posting. 🤣

You understand my reply, right?

No?

ok, it’s like this, I understand “trading in isn’t compulsory”, but it’s supposed to benefit both parties. The Buyer - saves the usual hassle of selling privately, and The Seller: they get to sell a new thing, and the old thing, usually making two profits in the process.

So by offering me a godawfulcrap trade-in price, Apple have lost two profit making deals. Throw in lousy support experiences and confirmation they think their products are worthless within a few years, and that’s decades of future sales from me, my family, my business, and all the clients I will no longer recommend their products to.

I realise the loss won’t break the company, but by making my current devices last longer and then buying/selling privately, I get to save cash.

 

[raythompsontn]

You understand my reply, right?

Yes, I did. I guess my humor was misunderstood.

 

[mizzoucat]

I just traded in a mint condition (seriously it never even left my house and still had 97% battery health) 14" base M1 Pro MacBook Pro (late 2021) for $705. I used this trade in towards the new M4 Mac mini with 512GB SSD. The mini was $699 after the educational discount so in reality, a 1:1 swap. I just logged in yesterday to check the trade in status as I did it via Fedex. Imagine my surprise when it said the screen was damaged and my new trade in value was $0! I rejected the offer and opted to have my device sent back to me (now apparently damaged). This infuriated me as I knew the MacBook Pro was in perfect condition (not even a single smudge print) and I used the box Apple sent me to trade in the device. So I quickly hit up Apple support and they escalated my concern to management. Not even an hour later, I received an email stating my trade in checked out and I would be receiving the original quoted trade in credit. Now my order status still states my final trade in credit is $0, but surely I'm going to get the full $705 back right?

 

[dmccloud]

You understand my reply, right?

No?

ok, it’s like this, I understand “trading in isn’t compulsory”, but it’s supposed to benefit both parties. The Buyer - saves the usual hassle of selling privately, and The Seller: they get to sell a new thing, and the old thing, usually making two profits in the process.

So by offering me a godawfulcrap trade-in price, Apple have lost two profit making deals. Throw in lousy support experiences and confirmation they think their products are worthless within a few years, and that’s decades of future sales from me, my family, my business, and all the clients I will no longer recommend their products to.

I realise the loss won’t break the company, but by making my current devices last longer and then buying/selling privately, I get to save cash.

Basic economics would dictate that if you are offering money for a trade-in, the offer has to be low enough to allow the company to make a profit on the resale, which means any refurbishment or refreshing that may be needed to make the product ready for resale would need to be factored into the equation. I don't think your threat to no longer recommend Apple products will affect the company's profits, and your post contains a lot of oversimplification and hyperbole.

 

[familychoice]

Basic economics would dictate that if you are offering money for a trade-in, the offer has to be low enough to allow the company to make a profit on the resale, which means any refurbishment or refreshing that may be needed to make the product ready for resale would need to be factored into the equation. I don't think your threat to no longer recommend Apple products will affect the company's profits, and your post contains a lot of oversimplification and hyperbole.

I actually said my decision to buy elsewhere wouldn’t affect their sales in any meaningful way - they’re a mult-billion dollar company. Pretty obvious really.

And yes, of course they want to make a profit on the resale too. But the offers I’ve had are ridiculously low. For example one device is immaculate, hardly used, with 100% battery life. It needs zero work, and could be put straight back on sale. They’ve offered 15% of what it’s currently being resold at. On top of the new sale, that’s just pure greed.

Where’s the hyperbole in my comment? If you’re going to throw insults at me and misquote my post, at least quote your source so I can respond.

 

[smirking]

All these dodgy trade-in stories makes me miss the late PowerMax in Oregon. I bought all of my Macs from them for years because they had a fantastic trade-in program. I could usually get about 1/3 of the purchase price for my next Mac by trading in every 3-4 years.

If I end up getting the $940 quoted by Apple's site, I actually will get close to that 1/3 I could score from PowerMax back in the day.

 

[Alameda]

My only experience so far was when I traded in my 2018 for my 2021 (haven't sent back my 2021 yet). I went through Apple Card and got the credit up front. I got exactly what they quoted me, but my machine was in mint condition. I'd guess so long as you answered the condition questions truthfully, you'll get what they quoted you.

Maybe you can explain: When you trade in through Apple, even if you bring the computer into an Apple Store, they give you the trade in money as an Apple gift card, unless you have an Apple credit card? So to get, say, $700 trade in on a laptop, you need to get their credit card?

 

[VineRider]

Maybe you can explain: When you trade in through Apple, even if you bring the computer into an Apple Store, they give you the trade in money as an Apple gift card, unless you have an Apple credit card? So to get, say, $700 trade in on a laptop, you need to get their credit card?

If you trade in at the store at the time of purchase, the trade in can go against the cost of the device so that total cost charged to you is reduced by the amount of the trade in. I believe you have 14 days to trade in after date of purchase to have the trade in value refunded to your method of purchase.

If you trade in when not making a purchase, then it will go on a gift card.

 

[dmccloud]

I actually said my decision to buy elsewhere wouldn’t affect their sales in any meaningful way - they’re a mult-billion dollar company. Pretty obvious really.

And yes, of course they want to make a profit on the resale too. But the offers I’ve had are ridiculously low. For example one device is immaculate, hardly used, with 100% battery life. It needs zero work, and could be put straight back on sale. They’ve offered 15% of what it’s currently being resold at. On top of the new sale, that’s just pure greed.

Where’s the hyperbole in my comment? If you’re going to throw insults at me and misquote my post, at least quote your source so I can respond.

What insults? I commented on the content of your post rather than anything relating to you personally. I find it odd how quickly you have gotten defensive and deflective in this thread every time someone has commented on your posts. I also find it odd that you tells me to "quote your source" when I quoted your post in the first place. I shouldn't have to quote a source when discussing basic economics.

 

[familychoice]

What insults? I commented on the content of your post rather than anything relating to you personally. I find it odd how quickly you have gotten defensive and deflective in this thread every time someone has commented on your posts.

You said “I don't think your threat to no longer recommend Apple products will affect the company's profits”, despite the fact I’d already stated “I realise the loss won’t break the company”, and then went on to accuse me of “oversimplification and hyperbole”.

Now apparently I’m also being “defensive and deflective“ for responding to that.

Don’t keep picking at my posts, I won’t have to respond, and we can both go back to enjoying the forum. Easy, right?

 

[jaw04005]

Be sure to compare against Best Buy's trade in. Apple offered me $300 for my M2 Pro Mac mini and Best Buy offered $575.

 

[glindon]

Maybe you can explain: When you trade in through Apple, even if you bring the computer into an Apple Store, they give you the trade in money as an Apple gift card, unless you have an Apple credit card? So to get, say, $700 trade in on a laptop, you need to get their credit card?

I've never done it that way but my understanding is that if you buy with non Apple Card you get the refund afterward, however I think you might get it upfront if you trade in person at a store. With the apple card they always give you the credit up front.

 

[dmccloud]

I've never done it that way but my understanding is that if you buy with non Apple Card you get the refund afterward, however I think you might get it upfront if you trade in person at a store. With the apple card they always give you the credit up front.

If you order online, then there are two ways to get the trade in credit. If you are paying with Apple Card online, you can get the trade-in credit applied at the time of purchase. If you are paying online with any other form of payment, you have to send in the old device before receiving the trade in credit. At an Apple Store you can get the trade in value deducted from the cost of the device you are purchasing, or credited back to the original form of payment within 14 days of purchase. You can also trade in devices at an Apple Store at any time, you would just receive a gift card for the trade in value.

 

[raythompsontn]

The SOB's at the trade in company struck again. I was quoted $685.00 for my M2 Air. Initial email said the device was in excellent condition and I would get the full trade in amount.

Today I am notified that there was "cosmetic polarizer/delamination damage on the display". Not even close. The device was perfect. The trade in was dropped to $135.00.

The trade in partner is scamming everyone by low balling the device and claiming damage that does not exist. I suspect that the company is claiming the damage, when there is really no damage, then pocketing the difference. This is a massive scam on people trading in devices.

 

[smirking]

The SOB's at the trade in company struck again. I was quoted $685.00 for my M2 Air. Initial email said the device was in excellent condition and I would get the full trade in amount.

What's the name of the trade-in company? I've been mulling the possibility of buying my M4 Pro from Costco and using their trade-in vendor, but all these bad trade-in stories are terrifying me. If they're going to screw you like this, I'd much rather go the eBay route. I know that has issues too, but I have yet to have a bad experience moving my old tech on eBay (knock on wood).

Incidentally, I did stop by the Apple Store yesterday to ask them if they can appraise trade-ins on site and they said yes. That would be the only way I'd want to go.

 

[raythompsontn]

What's the name of the trade-in company?

It is the company used by Apple. The name of the company is AI.

I was sent photos of the damage. Yeh, right. The bright spots claimed are simply reflections of the ceiling lights. Here are two pictures. The first is theirs, the second is mine.

The reflections on my screen do not match the supposed damage on their picture. The machine was perfect. The company that Apple is using are clueless clods that are scamming people. Taking pictures with reflected lights and claiming it was screen damage is massive fraud.

I have appealed to Apple and they are supposed to respond within 48 hours with a re-evaluation. I will then be able to submit my images as proof of the screen being in shape.

The Apple support person said maybe the damage was from touching the screen too often. Hello, you clueless clod, Apple does not make touch screen laptops.

Incidentally, I did stop by the Apple Store yesterday to ask them if they can appraise trade-ins on site and they said yes. That would be the only way I'd want to go.

I could not do that as the new computer was purchased via the apple Veteran store and the physical store will have nothing to do with those sales other than to allow the device to be picked up. That needs to change.

 

[Alameda]

What's the name of the trade-in company? I've been mulling the possibility of buying my M4 Pro from Costco and using their trade-in vendor, but all these bad trade-in stories are terrifying me. If they're going to screw you like this, I'd much rather go the eBay route. I know that has issues too, but I have yet to have a bad experience moving my old tech on eBay (knock on wood).

Incidentally, I did stop by the Apple Store yesterday to ask them if they can appraise trade-ins on site and they said yes. That would be the only way I'd want to go.

Craigslist is better than eBay... with Craigslist, you sell locally, face to face, in a Starbucks for cash. No mailing,no scams, I've never had a problem. If they want to pay with a check, cashier's check, tell you to mail it... forget it. Just find a buyer who will met you face to face in a crowded Starbucks, for cash.

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[raythompsontn]

Now the clods are saying the screen has been scratched. As you can see from my picture the screen was not scratched and not damaged in any way. I used to think Apple was a good company. Now I am not so certain.

 

[raythompsontn]

I contacted Apple, multiple times, before reaching a supervisor. I sent that person (Emily) a picture of the screen of the laptop taken just before I put the machine in the box. She said she would have the problem looked into. It would take up to 48 hours.

Four hours later I get an email saying my trade in is complete for $135.00. Uh, no. I never authorized the completion of the trade.

I then get an email saying that I am getting an Apple gift card for $680.00. Uh, no, I don't want an Apple gift card. Back on the phone with Apple.

I am then informed there are two refunds, one for $680, the gift card, and $67 back on the Apple Card. I explained the trade-in is supposed to be the original form of purchase, the Apple Card, not a gift card. I am not spending $680.00 in the Apple ecosystem, for several years.

I told the Apple person I want the money applied to the Apple Card, as per the original agreement in the trade-in documents. He said he was able to do that and would be making the change. It will take 2-3 days for the refunds to appear.

Yes, I am still out about $5.00 for the entire trade-in. It is not worth my sanity to continue to deal with Apple support over $5.00.

Talk about a screwed up system. From Apple's trade-in company that is screwing people over trade-ins, to Apple refunding to the wrong location. I am not impressed.

 

[familychoice]

Talk about a screwed up system. From Apple's trade-in company that is screwing people over trade-ins, to Apple refunding to the wrong location. I am not impressed.

Similar feelings after the experience I had - after an offer bordering on the offensive (bear in mind that was before I’d even sent it, so they’d probably reduce it further), I spent nearly a whole day with their support and trade-in team unsuccessfully trying to get an answer to why it was so low, being passed back and forth until I gave up.

I’m seriously considering a base MBP ppurchase. Normally I’d buy direct from Apple, based on their supposedly good support, but now I’ll just buy one from a cheaper third party, and keep my apparently worthless 3 year old immaculate device as a spare.

 

[Alameda]

If you order online, then there are two ways to get the trade in credit. If you are paying with Apple Card online, you can get the trade-in credit applied at the time of purchase. If you are paying online with any other form of payment, you have to send in the old device before receiving the trade in credit. At an Apple Store you can get the trade in value deducted from the cost of the device you are purchasing, or credited back to the original form of payment within 14 days of purchase. You can also trade in devices at an Apple Store at any time, you would just receive a gift card for the trade in value.

If you trade in at an Apple Store, do they inspect the computer on the spot, or do they take the computer and potentially come back after two weeks claiming it's not worth as much as they offer?

 

[ab22]

If you trade in at an Apple Store, do they inspect the computer on the spot, or do they take the computer and potentially come back after two weeks claiming it's not worth as much as they offer?

on the spot

 

[smirking]

on the spot

do you get your trade-in value credited right there or is there a chance they could pull something like what happened to @raythompsontn where you get appraised and then an email of a revision to the appraisal later?

 

[ab22]

do you get your trade-in value credited right there or is there a chance they could pull something like what happened to @raythompsontn where you get appraised and then an email of a revision to the appraisal later?

You get it right there, no reappraisal or chance of less.

 

[Gator1pk]

About 3 years ago I traded my ancient 15" Mid-2012 MacBookPro Retina. The battery was not holding a good charge, but I knew that. So my trade in value was $0 and I asked for it to be returned to me. Came back in same condition, I left in my closet for 2 years and finally gave it to a buddy of mine and we found it had no operating system, but he knew how to fix that. No loss.

At the same time, I traded an old iPad Pro and got the trade in value, and it was applied towards my new M1 iPad Pro. No pain, no fuzz. eBay has become ridiculous which their pricing. By the time you pay for the listing and PayPal transaction you are down like 20%. Not to mention the shipping pricing, do you do free shipping but include it in your price or have it listed as a separate fee.

I say use the trade in and be done with it. No ebay scams or high fees. If the company lowers the trade in value to one that is not acceptable, get it shipped back to you and do as you wish. Sell it in ebay, facebook, craig's list, in a dark alley.